Family: Geomyidae, Pocket Gophers view all from this family

Description Various shades of brown, according to soil color. Relatively short, nearly naked tail. L 9–13 1/4" (229–335 mm); T 3–3 3/4" (76–96 mm); HF 1 1/8–1 1/2" (30–37 mm).

Similar Species This is the only pocket gopher in its range.

Breeding Breeds throughout year, but reproductive activity peaks February–March and June–August. Litters of 1–3 young; sometimes 2 litters per year. Newborn is 2" (50 mm) long and weighs 1/4 oz (5.8 g).

Habitat Open fields; pastures; open woods.

Range Southeastern Alabama, s Georgia, and n Florida.

Discussion The Southeastern Pocket Gopher is active all year, yet stores great quantities of food in its extensive burrow system, which ranges from just below the ground surface to 2 feet (600 mm) deep. The animal uses its long claws to dig the burrow, and its heavy incisors to cut roots. When dirt accumulates in the burrow behind the pocket gopher, the animal turns and pushes it forward with its head and forefeet. Excess soil is pushed in this manner out of a lateral burrow, making a mound at the surface. The mounds made by this species are often very conspicuous, and sometimes number several hundred per acre (.4 ha). This pocket gopher feeds on roots, rhizomes, and green succulent plants that can be reached from a tunnel opening. In Florida, they often are called "salamanders," apparently an alteration of "soil mounder" spoken with a southern accent. This animal can be a major pest in agricultural regions, attacking sweet potatoes especially, but also peanuts, sugarcane, and peas. Three separate races of Southeastern Pocket Gopher from Georgia were formerly recognized as distinct species, but are currently recognized as subspecies of the Southeastern: the Colonial Pocket Gopher (G. p. colonus), found along the coast in the extreme southeast; Sherman’s Pocket Gopher (G. p. fontanelus), found in a small area in Chatham County, in the northeast; and the Cumberland Island Pocket Gopher (G. p. cumberlandius), from Cumberland Island.